10.20 A wknd w/ Locations
The band on picket-line plans, DICKS (the musical, duh) and their triple release-show SATURDAY NIGHT at Main Drag Music
Music has long been a vehicle for calls for change, cries of rebellion, the denouncing of politicians and policies and the general airing of all kinds of grievances, but while this attitude might be a primary part of punk-rock DNA, there are few musicians we can think of who actually orient their art around action quite like Brooklyn’s Locations.
"In a world that feels so incredibly divided, we want to use our music to unite the working class on common sense issues to create meaningful change,” reads the duo’s mission statement of sorts. “Most reasonable people believe that healthcare is a human right, that the climate emergency requires immediate action, and that our system of government is corrupt. We need to stay focused on what benefits us all and start working together to achieve it, because there is literally no time to waste."
Or, in the words under the “Take Action” tab on their website: "WE’RE PISSED OFF, AND WE’RE GUESSING YOU ARE TOO.”
🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
This outrage is expressed, first and foremost, in the music itself. Of their single “Trickle,” Niko Rummell (guitar/vox) and Thomas Whidden (drums/vox) say:
“The song is about corporate greed, capitalism, class solidarity, and taxing the rich. Over the last several decades, there has been a massive transfer of wealth from the working class to the richest of the rich. We’re not talking about doctors and lawyers-rich, we believe working people deserve to make a fair living. We’re talking about the parasitic ultra-wealthy, who are hoarding more wealth than they could ever possibly spend.”
And the men behind Locations don’t just have their mouths on the mic but their boots on the ground. With every release, the band picks and promotes a cause they believe in (combating political corruption, perhaps, or fighting for universal healthcare), and when they’re not on the stage or in the studio, you’ll likely find the musicians and union location scouts (hence the band name, btw) on the punk-af location that is picket line, striking for their rights.
More on that in the itinerary below—so back to the music for a sec. Because it’s officially Friday, October 20th, which means that Locations’ sophomore EP Stop the Money is OUT NOW!
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
And better yet, the band is celebrating the record with a TRIPLE RELEASE SHOW, along with friends monarch. and Blanket Approval, at Main Drag Music TOMORROW NIGHT!
Grab your tickets here.
ALRIGHT! It’s somehow 2:32 (whoops!) which means it’s time to send this baby out into your inboxes and onto the internet. Plz go listen to the EP, enjoy the weekend suggestions so kindly provided by Locations and then maybe take a moment to form a union or write your representatives—
That’s fuckin’ rock n roll baby. We’ll see ya out there.
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
Locations wants to give you a *manageable* weekend plan! We’ve got one event per day you MUST do, another that you really should, and then options for if you’re up for more.
If you didn’t know, we’re both union location scouts for film and TV shows under Teamsters Local 817. Normally we spend our days researching, coordinating, and photographing potential filming locations, but you may have heard that most of this year the writers and actors have been on strike. We’re still waiting on these greedy fucking studios to give SAG-AFTRA a fair contract so we can get back to our day jobs, but you’re in luck! We have had PLENTY of time to scout the best weekend plans (and locations) for your benefit!
FRIDAY
MUST
Hit the picket line with us! From 930am-Noon (yes, your must is an early start) we will be picketing in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA outside of the HBO/Amazon offices at Hudson Yards. If you’ve never been to a picket line, you’re going to love it. Picture something between a block party and a rally. Maybe you’ll get lucky and get to flash your solidarity arm at a celebrity!
Most current picket information is here
ALSO
DICKS: THE MUSICAL is one of the best and funniest movies of the year. Unhinged and absolutely fantastic, I have rarely had so much fun in the theater. Movies like this are why we make movies. See it at Alamo Drafthouse (Brooklyn or Manhattan) and make sure to congratulate every worker you see in the theater! NYC Alamo United just voted to unionize at both locations under UAW. These workers are on the frontlines of the fight against corporate greed! The best movie theaters in NYC are now UNION!!! Special shout out to UAW President Shawn Fain for this fashion choice
IF YOU’RE UP FOR IT
Round out your day of union solidarity with a union made coffee at one of Starbucks 360+ unionized coffee shops. 2 years ago there were ZERO!
Lunch at Dos Toros, my pick for the best burrito in NYC
Drinks at Grimm, the best brewery around and the most frequent venue for Locations band meetings
SATURDAY
MUST
TRIPLE RELEASE SHOW at Main Drag Music in Williamsburg! We’re celebrating the release of our new record STOP THE MONEY! We also have our dear friends in Monarch and Blanket Approval joining us both in performance AND releasing new music alongside us! Some people are reluctant to share the spotlight for a release show, but being a part of a union has taught us that we are ALWAYS stronger together! Check out our Spotify Playlist Locations’ Preferences to find all 3 plus a ton of our favorite bands. It’s an extremely eclectic mix of music, just like our music (and our shows!) Buy some of our new merch while you're here, this band shit is fucking EXPENSIVE and your financial support makes this machine run. We've got everything from "Fuck Ticketmaster" T shirts to Locations branded GOOD OLE HOT SAUCE with our faces on the bottle! Earplugs? They're free at every Locations show! Hearing protection is VITAL for every music lover and we want you to be able to listen to Locations when you're old!
ALSO
Have one of the most unique and memorable dining experiences at Nami Nori! Stop in here for an early dinner before the show, reservation possibly required. They serve a signature temaki set that will blow your mind for $28. Think sushi tacos, but like so much better than you can imagine. I also have to commend the staff on their hospitality. As a NYC restaurant lover, I can tell you I have had few dining experiences more memorable. Great for a date, great for a casual lunch, nom nom at Nami Nori and thank me later.
IF YOU’RE UP FOR IT
Keeping the theme, Saturday is a love letter to Northside Williamsburg (a neighborhood I called home for 5 years. I bet you can guess the intersection considering my favorites below)
Cocktails at Midnights (specifically the Weathervane)
Joes Pizza, the best slice in NYC hands down. This is a fact.
Lunch at Pokebab, my other favorite way to enjoy raw fish in the neighborhood
Skinny Dennis for a bourbon sweet tea, that coffee drink, or free peanuts over the sweet sound of live music. It was better when there was no cover, but musicians have got to eat too! Seth Kessel is playing 4-7, never heard him, but I’ve rarely heard a bad band in that space.
SUNDAY
MUST
O. Wake, one of the absolute BEST bands in Brooklyn, is playing a show at Rubulad w/ Nectarine Girl, Shane Pi, and Bald By Choice. I have seen this incredible group of musicians 4-5x in the past year and not only do the shows keep getting better, I love the songs more and more every time. If you haven’t seen O. Wake, WAKE THE FUCK UP!
ALSO
Want to explore a beautiful space you’ll never believe is in NYC? Try Wave Hill Public Garden and Cultural Center! This is one of my favorite filming locations that the Bronx has to offer, and I’ve pitched it for 10+ shows and movies over the years. It’s got a mansion, art gallery, gardens that look straight out of Game of Thrones, and plenty of outdoor space to explore. You’ll find unmatched views of the NJ palisades over the Hudson river, and it should be peak fall colors season. Getting there is its own adventure. I recommend taking the 4 train to the very last stop, take a walk through Van Cortlandt Park, and see some VERY fancy houses on your stroll over to Wave Hill.
IF YOU’RE UP FOR IT
Celebrate a friend’s birthday! You must know someone with a birthday this week! I always really appreciate the Sunday afternoon birthday hang. It’s a much easier commitment than a Saturday night and leaves space to rest both before and after. Hug your friends, tell them you love them, and use any excuse you can find to celebrate them!
THE FUTURE
Now that you’ve had your fun, it’s time to TAKE ACTION! Join us in supporting these organizations in their efforts to fight for a better world. We’re going to achieve universal healthcare, eliminate political corruption, end new fossil fuel investments, and organize all of the workers! WE CAN’T DO IT ALONE, SO JOIN US!
Itinerary above written + submitted by Locations. Follow the band at @locationstheband , buy music on Bandcamp and add the songs to your Spotify playlist!
Feature image (provided by the band): Jeanette D. Moses
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local (+ occasionally, once-local) artists we love, listed in no order whatsoever:
“Voices” video // Tetchy
“Meant To Be” // Book/Spirit
“Listen Up” video // Monograms
‘Make a Mess” // SKORTS
“When It Rains” // Savoir Adore
Like a Vine // Deep Wimp
IT’S HAPPENIN’
10.29 BdBK. presents Halloween at Arlene’s ft. Mary Shelley as Fleetwood Mac, Two-Man Giant Squid as Talking Heads, Charmainia and friends as It’s Britney Bitch, Kira Metcalf as Heart and O.Wake as Pink Floyd - Tix here
11.11 BdBK presents TURKEY SLAMDOWN w/ Bodega, My Son The Doctor, Work Wife, Mary Shelley, SQORE benefitting Make the Road NY @ Rubulad - Tix here
THE SETLIST by Bands do BK is a reader-supported publication that’s freeeee. BUT! If you want to become a paid subscriber to show some love and support the work BdBK is doing… well, hey. That’d be pretty rad of you. <3
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